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Good idea, poor execution is a very common, human problem. However, sometimes the idea is so bad that no level of execution could have saved it. Badly decorated cakes still get eaten, horrible artwork gets stuffed in some closet, but tattoos are, almost, forever.
So we’ve gathered some of the worst, most cringe-worthy tattoo fails from across the internet. Get comfortable as you scroll through, prepare for some intense, second-hand embarrassment, upvote the most unhinged ones and be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments down below.
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#1
ADHD
RELATED:
#2
Wish I Could Fly Away After Seeing It
Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
I know they’re expensive but I would always check reviews and photos of previous work for a tattoo artist before getting a tattoo. And if you have a best friend that wants to tattoo you for experience, maybe go for a tiny tattoo in an out of the way location? A tattoo is a pretty stupid thing to get done cheaply.
Jane Doe-Doe 1 month ago
Well I suppose the only saving grace is that she can keep it covered so nobody can see it
#3
Could This Be A Lion?
Auntriarch 1 month ago (edited)
A medieval illustrator who'd never clapped eyes on a lion would have done much better
Getting a tattoo is supposed to be empowering, meaningful, or at the very least, aesthetically pleasing. You walk into the shop with a vision, endure the needle's sting with stoic determination, and emerge with permanent artwork that expresses something essential about who you are.
Except sometimes, you walk out with a tribal armband that seemed edgy in 2003, your ex's name in Gothic script, or a Chinese character that you're no longer entirely sure means "strength" and might actually say "chicken noodle soup." Welcome to the surprisingly common phenomenon of tattoo regret, where forever suddenly feels like a very long time.
#4
My Uncle's New Tattoo. Christmas Will Be Awkward This Year
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
I mean.. it's not a bad tattoo technically, just HORRIBLE placement.
patricia patricia 3 weeks ago
Why would anybody get a fanged ostrich tattooed on their forehead?
#5
Originally Thought The "Talons" Were Fidget Spinners
#6
Avocado Baby
CalamityOne 1 month ago
And before you know it, Jayden's all, "Mom, I'm a 47-year-old stockbroker, please stop showing your tattoo to everyone at the company picnic..."
So how does tattoo regret happen? The reasons are as varied as the tattoos themselves, but certain patterns emerge with amusing and sometimes painful regularity. The most obvious culprit is the impulse decision, often fueled by alcohol, peer pressure, or that unique cocktail of invincibility and poor judgment that characterizes young adulthood.
#7
No Ragrets On This One
#8
At First I Thought "Why Is It Always Wolves?" But Then. Oh, Deer
#9
Someone I Graduated With Got This Today
MalayDragon 1 month ago
The lettering just needs a touch up, pretty simple fix, but that Symbol above. Line work is terrible, the fill is patchy and uneven across the entire tattoo. Not a bad design, just poor e*******n.
Spring break tattoos, eighteenth birthday walk-ins, and "we should totally get matching tattoos right now" decisions account for a substantial portion of regret. These are the tattoos that seem like brilliant ideas at 2 AM and catastrophic mistakes by noon the next day.
#10
Posted By A Friend
#11
A Poor Drunken Choice
Liz Rutherford 1 month ago
My brother's kid has multiple bad home tattoos. I told her that if she wanted a tattoo, talk to me. I went to school with a guy that owns a great shop. He would've given her a discount.
#12
This "Artist's" Work Comes Across My Feed Daily, Quite The Treasure Trove
patricia patricia 3 weeks ago
Poor fairy has been hit by a meteorite, or has forgotten to take her medication. Or both. Anyway, she's had a dreadful day.
Tyranamar Seuss 1 month ago
I like how it looks like someone's beaten the c**p out of tweaker bell.
Then there's the relationship tattoo, which might be the single riskiest category of body art. Getting your partner's name, face, or a symbol of your eternal love tattooed on your body is essentially challenging the universe to end that relationship.
#13
Test Tattoo, Please Ignore
#14
Where Are His Feet?
#15
Okay, Buddy
Original Instagram post description: "For those of you who think I think I spelt my tattoo wrong I didn't I wanted to spell it wrong because the real meaning of veni vidi vici is "I came, I saw, I conquered" and I don't feel like I have achieved the last two, once I do them I will get my tattoo spelled the right way."
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
Or.... You made up a bad story to cover the fact you got a bad tattoo.
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
That's not right either. More in latin was "plus" it would be something like "veni, vide plura" - come, see more. It's been a REALLY long time since I did any study of classical latin. In modern Italian "Veci" refers to veterans of their Alpine special forces unit. I do have a 12th century letter (digitized) from a monk in Spain where he uses the word "vedi" and it could just be that the OCR tool they used to digitize the letter was wrong (many of those letters are in poor condition). But if it's right, in context he seems to mean "you see" or possibly "you saw", but that would be Medieval Latin, not the language spoken by Julius Caesar. I'm pretty sure in this case bro just got it wrong
Load More Replies... Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago (edited)
Veni vedi veci means "I came and saw the dead" (at least that's what google translate says) which would be cool it that was actually his intention.
highwaycrossingfrog 3 days ago
That is not correct. Veni - I came. Vedi and veci are not Latin words at all. "I came and saw the dead" would be something like "Inferos veni vidique"
Load More Replies...The tattoo gods are petty, and they will make you break up within six months just to teach you humility. Even worse are the matching couple tattoos, which transform from symbols of devotion to awkward conversation starters faster than you can say "it's complicated" on Facebook.
#16
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks
PunchinelloTX 1 month ago
Perhaps this is a facsimile of something her child wrote that she wanted to commemorate as it looked.
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
I like to think (and hope) that to with some tats I see. I have a picture my son drew when he was 9 that I am going to get tattooed. It is a Lego hand holding a hedgehog holding a rubber duck. It isn't the best drawing obviously, but I love it. Especially cause my nickname from him is hedgehog. (Don't ask why, have no clue lol)
Load More Replies... #17
Regrettable, To Say The Least
Ace 1 month ago
That question could be asked of 99% of the tattoos shown here (or any, really). It's vaguely amusing for a fraction of a second, I guess.
Load More Replies... 
#18
Nothing Else Mattress
Quality issues represent another major source of regret. Not all tattoo artists are created equal, and unfortunately, you often don't discover you've chosen poorly until the bandage comes off and you're staring at what was supposed to be a majestic lion but looks more like a diseased house cat with mange.
#19
Looks Like They Did It Left Handed
Upstaged75 1 month ago
Another person who bought a home tattoo kit and drank a six pack before they used it.
Panda-sized Potato 1 month ago
I recognize the Kingdom Hearts reference, but courage is letting someone with no skills do that.
WindySwede 1 month ago
Courage is waiting for Disney's lawyers to sue you for using mickey mouse?
Ace 1 month ago
I had to look real hard to find the black smudge you're presumably referring to, so I think it would be easy enough to fight any such charge.
Load More Replies... #20
This Is Just Perfect
Emma London 1 month ago
Maybe it's like that in purpose. At least it doesn't look like a drunken DIY.
#21
"Neo Psycho Ignorant Oldschool Traditional Acid Tiger"
Wysteria_Rose 1 month ago
Did not think that was a knife handle that was scrolling up my screen...
Bad line work, wonky proportions, poor color saturation, and designs that don't translate well to skin can transform a beautiful concept into a near permanent disappointment. The rise of cheap, unlicensed tattoo artists and scratch artists working out of their kitchens has only increased the number of people realizing that one should always think before they ink.
#22
The Incredible Hulk. His Face Gets Me Every Time
Capn Dad 1 month ago
Sorry to bring him up again, but that looks exactly like an angry Karl Malden. Needs a hat though.
#23
Don't People Know These Things Are Permanent?
Oxford Ranch 1 month ago
Have a horse bite scar I wanted to get it tattooed like it just happened. Scared who ever would s***w it up, so it just stays in the “wish “ category
#24
Is It Just The Angle Or Does She Have A Pinocchio Arm?
#25
Ting Miracles
SCP 4666 1 month ago (edited)
Sure they are time traveller babies sent back to stop the machines from taking over the world
Load More Replies... Ace 1 month ago
It's taken me a good five minutes to realise that it's supposed to be TINY miracles,
Jane Doe-Doe 1 month ago
I only see 1 alien.. sorry I meant baby, is there meant to be 2?
Load More Replies... Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
Or you could get a footprint from the actual babies and pay a tattoo artist with skill to do a beautiful tattoo since it’s permanent
#26
This "Dragon" Came From A Shop That Charges $150/Hr
#27
"What Angle Do You Want The Plane From?" "All Of Them"
#28
You Just Yee'd Your Last Haw' Partner
#29
Palm Void
#30
Hammershark
I got this for £70 by an apprentice who's mentor claimed he was doing good now and his other work looked okay. It took 50 MINUTES and line work.
#31
A Girl I Went To High School With Has This On Her Upper Thigh
Tyranamar Seuss 1 month ago
It's a tiger with a clitoris coming out of the middle of his forehead. Just why?
#32
My Roommate Got Mad When I Laughed, Am I In The Wrong?
Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
Possibly not. Grandma might have been the type of person who liked tattoos. She was only 58 years old
Load More Replies... 
#33
A Buddy Of Mine Has A Friend Who Gave Himself This In 8th Grade
#34
Are You Ready For Some Football?
#35
Has No Special Meaning Or Anything. I Just Like Him
#36
Team Kayden And Falyn Or Kfaayldyenn?
BadmanMonkey 3 weeks ago
Kfaayldyenn: odd to have ink done to commemorate that Icelandic volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded all air travel in Europe for a week.
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
My sister was stuck in Denmark when that happened. She was over there from the US for a teacher exchange program.
Load More Replies... #37
This Florida Man's Haircut
#38
Traded A Guitar For This Masterpiece When I Was Around 18
#39
Batman Cat That I Got Last Year
#40
I Wanted To Tattoo Myself The “WASD” Keys But I Stopped When I Realized I Misplaced The A
Upstaged75 1 month ago
That's where the S is supposed to go. Also, tattooing yourself is stupid.
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
Not if you ACTUALLY know what you are doing. I have a friend that is a tat artist that has done most of her own sleeve and it is absolutely amazing. She has done a few of mine as well.
Load More Replies... #41
Sid Haig Is Rolling In His Grave
Oxford Ranch 1 month ago
I hope!!! Would be funny if it k****d the hair follicle
Load More Replies...
#42
I Try Not To Be A Hater But This One Is Crazy
Ace 1 month ago
In days of old, when knights were bold, and women weren't invented, the men drilled holes in telegraph poles, to keep themselves contented.
Load More Replies... BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
I mean, thanks for letting us all know I guess. At least your future partner will know that any offspring should be checked for an array of genetic disorders.
#43
7 Man Daisy Chain
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
oh that took way to long to realize what it was, not I wish I hadn't 🤢🤢🤢
#44
My Friend's New Tattoo. I Am Currently Arguing With Her Over The Usage Of The Letter D In "Supposed"
BeesEelsAndPups 1 month ago
Why are you arguing with her? English is my second language and even I know this is wrong. I think English speakers would have a better understanding of their own grammar if they studied a Romance language. If we changed this sentence to use the present tense it would have a very different meaning.
Beth Wheeler 1 month ago
So she doesn't know how to spell and the person that did the tattoo didn't correct it.
#45
Imagine Rolling Over In Bed And Having That Staring At You, Just Peeping Over The Covers At You
#46
I Gave This Guy Change Outside A 7/11 Once
#47
Can’t Really Decipher What Is Going On With The Legs
#48
Goofy Little Tattoo
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
Oh come on, this is not a fail just cause some people don't like it. This is awesome and very well done.
#49
"Oh No! Can You Remove That S?" "Say No More"
Ru Bee 1 month ago (edited)
Why did they do this? Did they attempt to cover the wrong S.... Making it even wronger!
#50
I Was Very Manic As You Can See
#51
Family Friend Whipped This Out At Christmas
#53
It's A Woman Holding An Infant In A Red Blanket, For Those Wondering
#54
Supposed To Be An Evil Ben Franklin
#55
How Can The Tattoo Inside The Tattoo Be Better Than The Tattoo Itself
#56
Mer-Meh
#57
Someone Skipped Biology Class
#58
Stitch Coverup?
#59
Lady Gaga Looks A Little Different Here
#60
I Have Received Mixed Opinions About This. What Do You Guys Think?
Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
Good thing it's not on your body then. I happen to think it is adorable, but personally would never get it.
Load More Replies...
Auntriarch 1 month ago
Theres an apple variety Cats head isn't there? Though I don't count it as an excuse.
#61
Scars Don't Heal
#62
If You're Gonna Get A Tattoo, At Least Do It Properly
#63
Some Girl I Know Tattooed This. English Isn't Her First Language As You Can See
#65
Undead Mickey
#66
If You Got No Sauce, Then You Lost
highwaycrossingfrog 3 days ago
"If you got no sauce then you lost. But you also get lost in the sauce"?
#67
Looks Cute Until You Notice The Leg
#68
How Do You Do, Fellow Emos?
#70
I’ve Just Lost My Uncle. My Cousin Just Sent Me A Tattoo She Got Of Her Dad. I Really Don’t Know How To Tell Her
Auntriarch 1 month ago
Don't say anything beyond "awww" and give her a hug. This is not the time for art criticism or grammar.
TonjaLasagne 3 weeks ago
But tell her soon enough so that the artist can correct it.
Load More Replies... #71
A Guy I Went To High School With Has An Angel. With Cutoff Jean Shorts
#72
Bad Tattoo My Coworker Has. He Wont Tell Me What It Is
#73
Let Them
#74
Got My Heart Broke, Got Drunk, And Woke Up With This
#75
4 Sessions In On This Piece So Far
Original caption: "Finally got a healed shot of this cowgirl piece 4 sessions in can't wait to finish her!"
Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
How is that 4 sessions? Is the tattoo artist only doing five minutes per session?
TonjaLasagne 3 weeks ago
Probably can’t tolerate the pain for more than 5 minutes.
Load More Replies... Bored Trash Panda 2 weeks ago
4 sessions??? I have an entire back piece that was 7 hours I did in one day
AnnwylTheBloodyLovesFerghus 3 weeks ago
Is the artist blind? Are they working with their feet? Is the person receiving this monstrosity permanently high? Good questions, I think.
#76
This Is The Stuff That Gets Carved Into Bathroom Walls In Horror Movies
Emma London 1 month ago
Better this than just cutting yourself. Both hurt and this is easier to cover when you are feeling better.
#77
Would You Believe This Is A Cover Up? Shades Are Covering An Exes Name That She Got After Dating For A Week
#78
Is This As Bad As I Think It Is?
#79
It's Supposed To Be A Horse
Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
Took me a minute but I can see it. Squinting helps. It’s laying down with it’s head at the top, facing right. The 13 on the right is a hoof at end of the 42 rear leg. The other rear leg is on the opposite side.
Fransanchez 1 month ago
Squinting a lot!!!!!!! But yeah, it's there, not sure what that thing where the tail is supposed to be is
Load More Replies... 
#80
It's Not Finished Yet, And I Fear The Finished Tattoo Is Going To Be Even Worse
Jenna Logan 1 month ago
This is a hell of a lot better than the dragon further up this list lol
MalayDragon 1 month ago
This isn't to bad, because it's not finished it has potential to be quite a nice piece.
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